The Lake Placid Green Dragon boys’ basketball traveled to Sebastian River Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Nov. 12 and 14, for a pre-season tournament held there.

“It was a learning experience,” began the Dragons’ new coach, Dan Coomes, in a recent interview.

The Dragons played Class 7A Sebastian River, a team loaded with six seniors, a pair of players who stand 6’ 4” and another at 6’ 6.”

“They’re a good team, coming from a well-run program,” said Coach Coomes. “We actually played them pretty well and might have beaten them but turnovers plagued us down the stretch.”

In their second game of the tourney, the Dragons took on Class 8A Vero Beach High School, a team which boasts seven seniors and a veritable forest of six-and-a-half footers.

“We found that game really tough, but we were battling,” said Coach Coomes. On the other hand, every member of the Lake Placid got plenty of floor time and Coach Coomes was able to see how the players reacted under stiff game conditions.

“I was very pleased at what I saw in those tournament games. Our last couple of practices were strong. We have a long ways to go before we develop a good concept of offensive and defensive basketball, but I see a lot of potential,” the coach said.

The Green Dragons inaugurated their regular season Tuesday evening, Nov. 19, with J.V. and varsity games against the Avon Park Red Devils in the Bill Ross Memorial Gymnasium.

Results of that game will appear in next week’s edition of the Lake Placid Journal.